Leontios

Leontius (Greek Λεόντιος, † February 15 706 Opel in Constantinople ) was Byzantine Emperor ( 695-698 ). Its official name was Leon Kaiser. This name appears on his coins and in Western sources, but was not accepted by the Byzantine historiography, which calls him only Leontius.

Life

Leontius came from a noble family and was among the Isaurian emperors Constantine IV and Justinian II, a prominent commander of the Byzantine forces on the eastern front against the Arabs. In Armenia he addressed to widespread devastation. 692 he fell out of favor with Justinian, perhaps because of the heavy defeat of Sebastopolis, which was caused by the overflow forced recruited Slavic troops. Justinian had him imprisoned, but suddenly overtook him then after three years out of prison and gave him the command of the theme ( military district ) Hellas. Leontius took this opportunity immediately to foment an uprising. He had spread the rumor in Constantinople Opel, the emperor wanted to assassinate the Patriarch Kallinikos I and a massacre among the population. Since thought capable Justinian easily the worst rumor immediately found faith. There was a popular uprising, Justinian was overthrown and Leontius took over with the support of the Patriarch the imperial dignity ( 695). He was a representative of the noble and wealthy class that had suffered under Justinian's ruthless tax collection.

695 began the Arab advance against the Byzantine Exarchate of Africa. The very strong Arab army under Hassan ibn al - Numan occupied only Kairouan and finally conquered Carthage, the capital of the Exarchate. The person appointed by Leontius Byzantine fleet fought with varying success, but had to retire after 698 Crete to wait for reinforcements, and a few African cities remained in Byzantine hands. Out of fear of punishment for inadequate performance in Africa revolted naval officers in Crete and called one of them, Apsimar, from the emperor. Apsimar, who took the name Emperor Tiberius, besieged for months Konstantin Opel. The city in which a plague had broken out was captured by treachery, and there was looting. The new ruler was Leontius cut off the nose and banished him to a monastery. After Justinian was 705 once again come to power, Leontius was brought from the monastery and later executed together with Tiberius.